Page 137 of Here and Now
“The first night he hurt me, we were at a party. He was drunk and I made an offhand joke to one of his friends. He squeezed my upper arm so hard I bruised. The next morning, he sent me flowers and a bracelet. He swore he didn’t mean to do it, that he was drunk and didn’t know his own strength. I withdrew from him, but he was relentless in pursuing me.
“Eventually I forgave him. It continued in this pattern until he backhanded me so hard I swear I blacked out. That next day, I got all my stuff from his house and told him it was over. Only that wasn’t acceptable for Edward. That night, he threatened that if I tried toleave him, I’d see how hard that would be, because he had ties to everyone in Chicago.”
I take a breath, making sure he’s still with me. Miles keeps quiet, and I tangle my fingers with his.
“He got me fired and then broke into my apartment to slash my couch. A week later, I found out I was pregnant and I knew. I knew I couldn’t have a child with this man. He would never stop, and I couldn’t do it. I called my brother, who, as you guessed, doesn’t do what he says. He works for a security company that does things I’m not even sure about, but personal protection is one of them. He wanted me to tell Edward that I was going out of town for a friend’s wedding. To invite him, knowing he couldn’t and wouldn’t come. Edward didn’t do anything that wasn’t going to benefit him.”
I stop there, feeling the fear starting to mount. This is where the story becomes dangerous for him.
Miles nods, encouraging me to go on, but I need to give him one more chance of an out. “If I tell you this next part, it’s where I put you at risk. Do you understand?”
“Penelope, the only risk I care about is what would happen to you and Kai. I know I’m not a marine anymore, but I do have training. I know how to protect myself and others. You’re not risking my life, because there is nothing I won’t do for you. Nothing I won’t give if it means you and Kai are safe. I know the risk, and I’m sitting here, unmoving.”
The story becomes so real, I see it all like a movie.
“You can do this, Penelope. You are going to leave and protect your unborn child, who will never know the horror that is their father,” I told myself as I stood outside Edward’s office door.
It was late, dark, and I felt like I was going to be sick—again. This was a common part of my days since I found out I was pregnant, but that time, it wasn’t morning sickness.
I called my brother from the lobby.
“Did you do it?” Quinn asked.
“Not yet, I’m not sure I can. Maybe I can just leave without telling him,” I suggested, hoping Quinn changed his mind.
He didn’t.
“No, we need some time, and if he thinks you’re only gone for the weekend, it allows us to get the pieces into place. You’ve got this, Penny.”
I exhaled. My heart pounded so hard against my chest, I thought it would break a rib. “I’ll call you when it’s done.”
“I’ll be at the meeting spot. Come right here.”
I disconnected the phone and took the elevator up to the fifty-third floor. There was only a lamp on in the front room, and Edward’s office was bright. There were the sounds of three men talking. I didn’t recognize any of their voices.
“You’ll bury the body on your property,” the one man said, and I stopped exactly where I stood.
Edward huffed. “Absolutely not, Michael. I’m done hiding your fuckups. I’m not excavating a new location.”
The same man spoke again. “You forget who I am and what I can do if you refuse.”
“You forget what information I hold as well. I don’t think your voters will put you in for another term if they know you’re laundering money and responsible for the last incumbent’s death.” Edward’s voice was harsh.
I moved closer to the door, peeking in. There stood the senator I’d met at a party a few months ago, someone in all black, who definitely looked like a bodyguard, and Edward’s business partner, Anthony.
“Don’t try me, Edward.”
Edward spun around in his office chair. “Or what? You’ll kill me too? I don’t think so. I’m the one who holds the cards, and if you so much as try to fuck with me, all your secrets will come out. I’m not stupid, Michael. I keep all the information safe as insurance.”
He looked so smug, so sure that he was completely safe. I’d seen that smug superiority so many times. After he’d hit me or taunt me about what my life would be if I tried to leave. I was done being scared, though. I was ready to live on the run if it meant my child would be safe.
Anthony scoffed. “You’re such a pompous prick.”
“And you’re a fucking pussy,” Edward spatback.
Then, I saw the most infinitesimal movement from the senator. He stepped forward, and his bodyguard also moved. “You should really think twice about threatening someone.” The senator’s voice was as cold as ice.
Before I could move or blink, the bodyguard moved to the back of Edward’s chair with something in his hand. He wrapped it around his neck, pulling it tight. I watched in horror as Edward clutched at the wire wrapped around his neck. It lasted what felt like an hour, but it was really only a few seconds.
